Systems and methods to stir an electromagnetic (EM) field

Abstract

Systems and methods to stir an electromagnetic (EM) field of an EM reverberation chamber are disclosed. A particular system includes an EM reverberation chamber. The system also includes a transmit antenna and a receive antenna operable to generate an EM field within the EM reverberation chamber. The system further includes a variable charged particle source to stir the EM field by varying introduction of charged particles into the EM field.

1. A method, comprising:
 generating an electromagnetic (EM) field in an EM reverberation chamber; 
 introducing a plurality of charged particles into the EM reverberation chamber; and 
 stirring the EM field by varying the plurality of charged particles introduced into the EM reverberation chamber. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein introducing the plurality of charged particles into the EM reverberation chamber includes directing an electron beam into the EM reverberation chamber. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein varying the plurality of charged particles introduced into the EM reverberation chamber includes changing a focus of the electron beam. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein varying the plurality of charged particles introduced into the EM reverberation chamber includes changing a direction of the electron beam. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein introducing the plurality of charged particles into the EM reverberation chamber includes generating a plasma in the EM reverberation chamber. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein generating the plasma includes turning on at least one first fluorescent light. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein varying the plurality of charged particles introduced into the EM reverberation chamber includes turning on at least one second fluorescent light. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein varying the plurality of charged particles introduced into the EM reverberation chamber includes changing a location of the charged particles within the EM reverberation chamber. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein varying the plurality of charged particles introduced into the EM reverberation chamber includes changing an intensity measure associated with the charged particles within the EM reverberation chamber. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein varying the plurality of charged particles introduced into the EM reverberation chamber includes changing a distribution of the charged particles within the EM reverberation chamber. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein varying the plurality of charged particles introduced into the EM reverberation chamber includes changing a density of the charged particles within the EM reverberation chamber. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 taking a first sample reading of the EM field before introducing the plurality of charged particles into the EM reverberation chamber; 
 taking at least one second sample reading of the EM field after introducing the plurality of charged particles into the EM reverberation chamber; and 
 determining a relationship between the first sample reading and the at least one second sample reading; 
 wherein varying the plurality of charged particles introduced into the EM reverberation chamber includes modifying a parameter associated with the plurality of charged particles until a predetermined relationship between the first sample reading and the at least one second sample reading is achieved. 
 
     
     
       13. A system, comprising:
 an electromagnetic (EM) reverberation chamber; 
 a transmit antenna and a receive antenna operable to generate an EM field within the EM reverberation chamber; and 
 a variable charged particle source to stir the EM field by varying introduction of charged particles into the EM field. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a network analyzer responsive to the transmit antenna and the receive antenna, the network analyzer to take readings of the EM field. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a processor to perform statistical analysis of the readings taken by the network analyzer to determine when the EM field is stirred. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the variable charged particle source includes an electron beam gun. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a charged plate to change a direction of an electron beam generated by the electron beam gun to vary a distribution of the charged particles within the EM reverberation chamber. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the variable charged particle source includes at least one fluorescent light. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the variable charged particle source includes a fluorescent light array, and wherein the variable charged particle source is varied by changing a pattern of lights of the fluorescent light array that are powered. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a network analyzer to take readings of the EM field; and 
 a processor to perform statistical analysis of readings taken by the network analyzer to determine when the EM field is stirred by alternately analyzing the EM field and powering at least one light of the fluorescent light array until the analysis indicates that the EM field is stirred.